UPDATE: Installing the latest version of RealPlayer should fix this Firefox issue.
We love hearing from users of our products. When features aren’t working the way you think they should, we want to help. That’s the idea behind Ask RealPlayer. We’re going to be providing answers to those questions straight from our product experts. Think of Ask RealPlayer as your buddy that works at RealPlayer. Please leave your questions below and we’ll address them in the comments or in our next installment of Ask RealPlayer.
Q: Why am I seeing a Firefox RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin message that says it has been blocked and may cause security or stability issues?
A: This is a Firefox RealPlayer Plugin issue that has just started occurring on computers running Windows that use the Firefox browser. It doesn’t mean your version of RealPlayer isn’t working or that the RealPlyer Browser Record Plugin is causing any security or stability issues. It just means you’re running into some compatibility issues with Adobe’s latest release of Flash (version 11.3). The good news is that it’s easy to fix.
The easiest fix is to use a different web browser. You won’t encounter this issue if you use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. If you don’t want to stop using your Firefox browser, you can either disable the protected mode in the new version of Flash or revert to an earlier version of Flash.
Fixing the FireFox RealPlayer Plugin
We’ve put together a couple of videos to walk you through the process to get the Firefox RealPlayer Plugin working again. It will only take a couple of minutes.
The first thing you’ll want to do is to disable the protected mode in the new version of Flash. Watch this video to see how to do it:
Once the compatibility issues are solved watch this video to find out how to re-enable the Downloader Plugin:
Using the Firefox RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin with an Earlier Version of Flash
If you would rather revert to an earlier version (11.2) of Flash and use your existing RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin follow these steps taken from the Adobe forums:
1. Download the current uninstaller for Windows: download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe
2. Close all browser windows and run the uninstaller.
3. Restart Windows.
4. Delete all remaining files and folders located in the following directories. (Tip: copy and paste these paths into the path bar in an Explorer window)
C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash
%appdata%\Adobe\FlashPlayer
%appdata%\Macromedia\Flash Player
5. Verify that the files “FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl”, “FlashPlayerApp.exe”, and “FlashPlayerInstaller.exe” in C:\Window\system32\ (for 32-bit systems) or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ if you are using a 64-bit system, have been deleted. Note that you may not see the .exe suffix on FlashPlayerApp.exe and FlashPlayerInstaller.exe, depending on your Explorer settings.
6. Go to the Adobe Flash Player Archive and scroll down to the link for “Flash Player 11.2.202.233″ (released 4/13/2012). Click the link; you will be downloading a .zip file that will contain installers for all operating systems.
7. Unzip the archive and navigate into the appropriate folder (you can safely ignore the folder that ends with “_debug”).
8. Run the appropriate installer for your operating system and Firefox. For Windows, running the executable that ends with .exe is recommended.
9. When presented with the dialog that allows you to select your update method, select “Notify me to install updates.”
There you have it. Pick the Firefox RealPlayer Plugin solution that’s easiest for you. Let us know if you have any other incompatibility issues or questions about using RealPlayer products. We’re happy to help!
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
hey disregard my previous anonymous message here, I just downloaded the newest realplayer and installed again and now the real downloader works like it is supposed to on youtube although I have not tried any other sites yet. I assume if it works on one it will work on all of them. I hope it keeps working. btw, this is on a windows 8 netbook . thanks
The instructions above are silly. My plugin has crashed so how am I suppose to view the two films of instructions.
There are step by step directions below the videos. Let us know if you still need help.
FF flash plugin crashes whenever loading any page with a flash video. Happens consistently regardless of source (FB, YT, upworthy, etc). Have sent numerous crash reports, cleared cache, reloaded pages etc. Still no use. Repair steps invisible on your help page (below video that has crashed).
We’ll be able to provide more detailed help for this issue through customer support, which you can find here: https://real.custhelp.com/app/contact
I have reinstalled realplayer and realplayer downloader. There is no pop up sign saying I can down load the video. I have niether chrom or firefaox. What should I do?
Thank you
Did you download the latest version of RealPlayer before reinstalling? What web browser are using to download videos?
i need to help
How can we help?
I all that was instructed but I still cannot see the download button on Firefox 15.0.1
Sorry to hear that. We’ll be able to provide more detailed help for this issue through customer support, which you can find here: https://real.custhelp.com/app/contact
I am a hardcore realdownloader addict. I have a hobby and have downloaded over 500 movies since discovering this absolutely fantastic program. It blows every other download program away with it’s ease of use. Now however I am encountering issues since Firefox and flash have updated. I reinstalled flash 10 and am able to use the program but this is my issue. I encountered a major virus totally disabling my computer and sending to a two week repair which resulted in just a factory reinstall, I have an on line back up service which I used to download all my files onto a rental which crashed after opening the files. I am afraid that the virus is hidden in my on line back up files so I am trying to just re-download my favorites instead, only now I am only able to download ONE movie at a time when I was always able to download at least four before. Is there a way to fix this issue as well?
We’ll be able to provide more detailed help for this issue through customer support, which you can find here: https://real.custhelp.com/app/contact Be sure to include the information about the virus and how you would like RealPlayer to work for you.
i was having problem using the realplayer plugin, but when i follow the above steps for solving the problem, it didnt work however now i cant even use the adobe flash player… i have downloaded, installed, download, installed, uninstalled the flash player but all in vain….. instead of solving a problem it created 2 more problems… plz help
Hi, sounds frustrating! Thanks for sticking with it. Resetting your browser can help with several issues. Try doing that by following the instructions here: https://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8688
If it doesn’t work, try using an alternate browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
If that doesn’t help, send an email to help@real.com so that we can help you further.
and the Adobe Flash Player Archive page is not opening!!
Recently videos I have downloaded haven’t been able to convert because the converter keeps crashing I tried uninstalling realplayer and installing it again but it didnt work! plz help!
Hi Shreya, how frustrating! So that I can help, please send an email to help@real.com and provide the following:
The browser you are using
The file format you are trying to convert
The exact error message you receive
After 3 days of trying to get the correect combination of Firefox and Real Player downloader to start operating like it was before Firefox started with the “check plugins page” I give up. I have completely uninstalled both Fire Fox and Real Player.
AS I said, everything worked perfectly until Monday when that damn Firefox page for checking plug ins kept popping up. Even when all of my plug ins were up to date, I STILL got it. Apparently the developers at Mozilla don’t even know how to stop it. Too bad, I used Firefox for 4 or 5 years without a hitch. Firefox keeps blaming Real Player for their plugin not working but I think Firefox could repair a compatibility issue.
And Real Player wants to charge every one for help with the problem and if you have the Free Version,,,you can;t get help at all. The only reason I used Real Player WAS for the downloader. Never cared for Real Player as a media utility because there are so many other BETTER warez out there.
Hi Bruce, I understand the frustration. Check to be sure that the RealPlayer plug-in is enabled in your browser by following this link. http://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8883.
For more information, refer this link: https://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9801
If that doesn’t help, send an email to help@real.com so that we can help further.
Brilliant, just followed the instruction and everything works. It took me a while to get here but at last someone got it right.
Very many thanks
i need help! my download video button is missing and the Firefox add on is enabled but the extension is missing… have installed several times and followed all the troubleshooter directions…. can anyone help me? Thanx Suzi x
Hi Suzi! I apologize for the delay in response. Let me help you with that.
Please be informed that we do not have any tested information on the latest version of Firefox 18.
Try to do a clean uninstall and reinstall the RealPlayer by following the given link:
https://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8721 (Make sure that you have deleted the folder as mentioned in the link).
Please try to download RealPlayer from http://www.real.com/realplayer/.
After downloading RealPlayer, make sure that the RealPlayer plug-in is enabled by following the steps given in the link:
http://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8883
If you are using Google Chrome to download videos, try disabling PepperFlash by following the steps given in the link:
https://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10000.
If you have additional questions, email us at help@real.com.
My Real Player Downloader stopped working with firefox! How can I fix it? I have Windows 7.
Hi Howard,
Please follow the given steps to resolve the issue.
Solution 1: Empty the contents of the TEMP folder.
Whenever tasks are completed or a program closes, files are stored in the TEMP folder. If many files have accumulated in the folder, you may receive errors that prevent the installation from completing.
To delete the files in the TEMP folder:
1. Open the TEMP folder inside the Windows folder on the C: drive.
2. From the Edit menu, choose Select All.
3. From the File menu, choose Delete.
4. When asked if you are sure you want to delete these items, click Yes.
5. Once these steps are complete, close any open windows and restart the computer. Once the computer has restarted, try the installation again.
Note: If you receive an error that a file or folder can not be deleted because it is in use, skip the file and continue deleting the rest of the contents.
Solution 2: Lower RealPlayer CPU usage.
Lowering CPU usage may stop the error messages.
To lower the CPU usage of RealPlayer:
1. Open RealPlayer.
2. Click the RealPlayer logo in the upper left, then click Preferences. The Preferences box opens.
3. In the Category pane, select Hardware.
4. Under Playback Performance, move the slider to the left, towards Lowest CPU usage.
5. Click OK.
After that, please try to download the video. If the issue still persists, please write back to us. We are glad to help you with that.
If you have additional questions, please email us at help@real.com.
Thank you,
Hi, I’ve been having trouble with real player for a few months now, I can download videos, but when download completes, the downloader crashes. I also can’t access my library, as soon as I click it, that also crashes. I’m using the latest version of Chrome, and have also tried my other browsers (IE and Firefox) and still the same issue.
I have uninstalled and reinstalled, system restore and done a registry fix etc but nothing seems to work, any help would be greatly appreciated
Hi Clare,
I am sorry that you are facing multiple issues with RealPlayer.
Performing a clean uninstall and reinstall of RealPlayer can help you resolve many issues, try uninstalling and reinstalling RealPlayer by following this link:
https://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8721
Make sure you delete the RealPlayer folders as mention on the link before reinstalling RealPlayer.
Please follow this link to resolve RealPlayer Library issue:
https://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8989
If you have additional questions, email us at help@real.com.
a me il pligin di realplayer firefox lo accetta,ma il mio antivirus(A.V.G)lo legge come una minaccia!!!cosa fare???distallato e reinstallato il programma+volte,e sempre la stessa cosa!!!io nn vorrei rinunciarvi,aiutatemi grazie!
Hello Gabriele,
RealNetworks takes precautions to ensure our software is clear of viruses. Sometimes anti-virus software companies release definitions that trigger a false alert when certain programs are launched or certain files are accessed. Your anti-virus software may tell you that you have a virus when you do not. This can happen when a program performs a task, like copying a file from one location to another, in a way that the anti-virus software looks for based upon the definitions.
You should run updates of your anti-virus software, including virus definitions, then perform a full system scan. This will eliminate almost all false alerts.
If the issue still persists please email us directly at help@real.com.
I downloaded the 2011 version of realplayer but firefox says the Realplayer 14 is incompatible with Firefox 18?
Hi Shawn,
Please be informed that Firefox v18 was launched at the end of 2012. So we have fixed this compatibility issue in the latest version of RealPlayer (RealPlayer v16). You can update your RealPlayer software by following this link: https://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8863 Hope this resolves any issues you are having, if not, email us at help@real.com for further help.
Upon updating Flash to the latest version (I’m not sure which version, but it’s the latest version for 2-15-2013), I got a message in the Flash installer that the realplayer downloader button is causing a problem with Firefox (18.0.2 on Windows XP SP3)(I don’t remember exactly what it said now, and I haven’t tried to reproduce it yet). I don’t recall having ever installed the Real downloader or any browser plug in or extension that is branded as the real player or real downloader or anything similar. I can not find the button, and nothing called “real” anythign is found in my plugins or extensions listings in Firefox, nor is anythign like that found in the Firefox program folders, in my Firefox profile data, or in any other local folder. There is no evidence in user space that any Real software has been installed or not uninstalled successfully.
If I download this Real Downloader button, or whatever it is, and then uninstall it, is there a chance that I can get rid of this Firefox crashing problem and get rid of that warning message when I run the Flash plugin installer?
(Supplement to my previous comment) I was able to find out exactly what this plugin is called. It is “Real Player Browser Record Plugin.”
Hi Levi,
Please check these locations for folders associated with RealNetworks application and delete them.
c:\program files\real\RealPlayer
c:\program files\common files\real\
1. Go to My Computer.
2. Go to C:\ or Local Disk (C:\).
3. Go to the Program Files folder.
4. Go to the Real folder.
5. Delete the RealPlayer folders: c:\program files\real\RealPlayer
6. Go back to the Program Files folder.
7. Go to the Common Files folder.
8. Delete the Real folder: c:\program files\common files\real\
If you don’t find any folders associated with RealNetworks application in these locations, try uninstalling and reinstalling FireFox.
If that doesn’t help, send an email to help@real.com so that we can help further.
One more thing, i just downloaded the newest version of realplayer and i cannot download anything from dailymotion.com and when i open the convert and trim boxes it gives me a note that i need to update adobe??
Hello Shawn,
Please be informed that, I checked my resources and it shows that we have an on going issue on this matter. We have few customers reporting that they are unable to download videos from DailyMotion web site. Our support team is aware of this issue and working on it with high priority. Once fixed, you will be notified by our support team.
Follow the below steps to update the Adobe flash:
1. Download the latest version of Flash by going to http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html and clicking “Get the latest version.”
2. When you have finished installing Flash, shut down your computer.
3. Restart your computer and try downloading a video again.
After that, please try to convert or trim the files. If the issue still persists, please contact us directly through help@real.com
The link to the archive flash player is not correct it should be:
http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html
John-
It still does not work in dailymotion.com, and btw sometimes the download this video button does not appear on top of videos??
Hello Shawn,
I understand that you are facing some issues with RealPlayer. Please send an email to help@real.com with a brief description of the issue along with your phone number and convenient time, so that we can help resolve this issue at the earliest.
At Real Team
I have two problems, one, I cannot download videos from dailymotion.com. And two how can I use Realplayer 14 on FireFox 18, because when I download Realplayer 14 and when I go online to add-ons it says “Disabled, Realplayer 14 is not compatible with FireFox 18″
Hi Shawn, please send an e-mail to help@real.com with details of everything you are having trouble with so we can help you problem solve directly.
I have window 7 fire fox I download free real player converter, it keep asking me to upgrade to pay now
I dont want to pay
Hi Wanda,
MP4 file format requires H.264 codec for RealPlayer to either convert/play without prompting you with the pop-up for the Plus upgrade. Hence, installing QuickTime/iTunes will enable the necessary codec for RealPlayer to play/convert mp4 files. Follow this link: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/ for QuickTime and/or http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ for iTunes to enable the required codec. Upon installing either QuickTime/iTunes in your computer, try playing/converting the mp4 files through RealPlayer and let us know the status
Latest version of firefox does not allow real player down-loader plugin to record/download the videos.
Instead of suggesting all those lengthy procedures, just make the latest version of firefox browser compatible with realplayer downloader plugin. As simple as that.
Would you kindly care to answer me by e-mail please.
REGARDS.
Hi Barkat,
As you requested we have sent an email to you with the steps.
It is really taking up too much of my time every month to revise and update everything so regularly. Please find a setup and stable system I can use without giving away so many resources and mental effort to learn everything month after month. I hate to complain but this is getting really bad. Using new updates is now becoming mandatory because the older versions have expiration dates as soon as a new version comes out it fails to work correctly any longer. And the additional optional stuff can not be opted out of or the download fails when to unpack to install. I do not want Norton or Macafee. They use too many resources. But your downloads are malfunctioning without them.
Thank you Todd
Hi Todd,
Sorry for the inconvenience, by using the most recent version of RealPlayer, you can resolve some problems you might be having with RealPlayer and can play additional file types.
Please uncheck the Norton antivirus while installing RealPlayer, if you have already installed it please uninstall it.
I have downloaded the latest version of Realplayer and the playback does not work. I’ll download a video and when I try to play it back all I hear is the audio the is no visual?
Hi Shawn,
Please provide us some more information about the problem to assist you further.
>Does it happen for all the videos that you are trying to download?
>Have you tried downloading videos from different websites?
>Also Let us know the format of the downloaded video.
Can’t no longer download videos from youtube after the recent update.
Would be glad if you could help.
Hi Jenn,
Enable the RealPlayer Plugin in your web browser by following this link: https://real.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8883
If that doesn’t help, send an email to help@real.com so that we can help you further.